Automatic testing gauge



y 1942 A. F. TOELKE ETAL 2,283,885

AUTOMATIC TESTING GAUGE Filed Feb. 17, 194i e Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1942- A. F. TOELKE ETAL 2,283,885

AUTOMATIC TESTING GAUGE Filed Fe b. 17, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2.

May 1%, 1942.

A. F. TOELKE ErAL AUTOMATIC TESTING GAUGE Filed Feb. 17, 1941 G SheetS-Sheet 3 May 19, 1942. A. F. TOELKE ETAL 2,283,835

I AUTOMATIC TESTING GAUGE Filed Feb. 1'7, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FICA.

&\\\\\ Y&\\\\\\\\\\ May 19, 1942- 'A. F. TOELKE ETAL 2,283,885

AUfOMATIC TESTING GAUGE Filed Feb. 17, 1941 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 5,

y 1942- A. F. TOELKE EI'AL I 2,233,835

AUTOMATIC TESTING GAUGE- Filed Feb. 17, 1941 e Sheets-Sheet s I.

Patented May 19, 1942 UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC TESTING GAUGE August F. Toelke, Velda'Village, and Peter J.

Wenta, Brentwood, Mo., assignors to Jackes- Evans Manufacturing Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application February 17, 1941, Serial No. 379,272

27 Claims.

tain distances on, and deformability of, cartridge clips and the like.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of gauging apparatus which will automatically pick up heterogenously positioned clips vfrom a supply, and first gauge the clips for certain-characteristics of shape and then gauge them for deformability; the provision of a device of the class described which is independent of any unreliability due to any human factor of choice; and the provision of'a device of this class which accomplishes gauging positively but at a rapid rate, and which substantially reduces the labor cost in making clips, the greater part of which cost heretofore was due to the above-specified gauging requirements. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter;

The invention accordingly comprises" the elements and combinations'of elements, features of described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing changed positions of parts;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 55 of Fig. '1, showing a supply compartment with parts broken away;

Fig. 6 is a bias section taken on line Ii-B'of Fig. 5, detailing a brake;

Fig. 7 is a detail section taken substantially on line l| of Fig. 2 and. showing an intermittent pinion drive;

Fig. 8 is a bias section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3, showing an oscillating gauge block in gauging position;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 2, showing a driving and cam shaft;

- Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line Ill-I0 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 but showing different positions of parts; Fig. 12 is a horizontal section taken on line I2-I2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13=is a horizontal section taken on line I3I3of Fig..11;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged section taken on line I I-I4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 but showing changed positions-of parts;

Fig. 16 is a-perspective view in solid lines of one of the clips to be tested and in dotted lines a second clip and two cartridges forming part of a longer belt (not shown);

Fig. 1'? is a vertical section taken on line I 'I-I'I of Fig. 3; and, I

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary section taken on line I8;-I8 of Fig. 14.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The present apparatus has particular reference to testing of cartridge clips. The clips are ultimately held together as a chain by cartridges which act as pintles. The resulting belt formed of the clips and cartridges is fed into machine guns, and the cartridges are sequentially withdrawn from the clips during operation of the gun. In Fig. '16 the solid lines show one of the clips I4, and the dotted lines show a second clip, along with two linking cartridges 6 and 8.

When the gun withdraws cartridge 8, the clip falls away. 1

Each clip consists of a center rib I doublebanded at end bands 3 and 5 on one side,-and

having an intermediate band I on the other side.

In side elevation the clip has the appearance of a numeral eight, bands 3 and 5 forming one loop in elevation, band I forming the other, and rib tridges 9. Bands 3 and 5 closely and frictionally cartridge.

grip the cartridge, while band 'I is rotary on the Thus it is necessary that the distance between the inner edges Not the spaced bands 3 and 5 be within certain limits for smooth and accurate rotary action of the intermediate band I of thenext clip, and also that the two axes III and I2 of the bands 3, 5 (taken together) and I, respectively, be equally spaced. In order that these axes I0 and I2 may be properly spaced, it is necessary that under endwise pull in the belt there will be no excessive permanent bending at the rib I (compare Figs. 14 and 15) Broadly, in order to test for spacing of the axes l0 and I2, the clip has two fingers III and I13 (Figs. 10-13) inserted into the bands 3, 5 (taken together) and I, respectively, simulating shells, and these fingers are then drawn apart a predetermined distance by a resiliently applied, predetermined force. If the clip takes a permanent set due to the stress in rib I, it is to be rejected. Otherwise it is passed. Gauging for distance between edges II is done by a distance block I2! (Fig. 8).

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 5, there is shown at I3 a platform .supported on legs 15. At one end is a vertical support II for a supply drum I9. The drum has a sloping bottom 2|, carried on the support II by means of a head 23.

Located peripherally at the edge of the bottom 2| are grooves 25 and 21 in which respectively fit the bands and 3 (Fig. 5) Since the band 5 and its correspondinggroove 25 are narrower than the band 3 at its corresponding groove 21,

it follows that no clip can become located with the band 3 in groove 25 or the band 5 in groove 21. That is to say, the heterogeneously located clips must, if at all, fall into the groove as shown in solid lines at the bottom of Fig. 5.

If a supply C of clips I4 is dropped into the drum I9, they will gravitate to heterogeneous positions in the lower part of the bottom 2| and by chance one or more may assume the position shown in Fig. 5. If moved, more may assume this. position. In order that the supply may be stirred to movement so that successive clips may fall into the grooves 25 and 21, as shown in Fig; 5, and in order that clips which so fall into the grooves may be moved therefrom, we provide a rotary spider 28 having a hub 29 which is keyed to a shaft 3|, the latter being rotary in a stationary block 33 attached to the stationary bottom 2|. At its outer end, the shaft 3| is provided with a bevel gear 35 which is driven from a bevel pinion 31 shown in Fig. '7, carried on a countershaft 39 (Fig. 2). The pinion 31 has some teeth omitted at 4|, so that under continuous driving conditions of the pinion, the gear 35 will be intermittently driven.

In order that the stationary positions of the shaft 3| may be definite, a friction brake 43 constantly applies friction to the hub 29, the same being adjustably applied forthe purpose, as indicated at 45. Thus, during the interval that the blank space 4| on the pinion 31 does not drive the gear 35, the shaft 3| is held in a fixed position.

Extending from the hub 29 is a plurality of arms 41. On the end of each arm is a rake 54 having fingers 49 and 5| which respeetively'move around through the grooves 21 and 25. By this means, clips which fall into the position shown at the lower end of Fig. 5 are propelled around the tracks 21 and 25 to the upper side of the drum I9. At the same time the stirring action of the intermittently moving fingers 49 and 5| serves to cause some other clips to fall into positions in the grooves.

At its upper portion, the bottom 2| is provided with a pocket over which is carried a tangent extension 56 of the track 55. This extension slopes down to clear fingers 49 and 5| so that in their rotation they may return to the starting point 58 of track 55 (Fig. 1). Each clip that has proper been caught. ingrooves 25 and 21, by means of 70 its band 'I and rib I, straddles the extension 56, and all other clips which are carried up fall of! into the pocket 58 and gravitate into the heap C at the base of the sloping bottom 2|, ready for the groove. Arrow A in Fig.1 shows how properly positioned clips on the extension 56 proceed, and arrow B shows how'improperly positioned clips proceed down the pocket 53 to the heap of the clips locatedat C (Fig. 1).

While the intermittent operation of the arms 41 is desirable, it is not absolutely necessary. However, the intermittent operation tends to prevent the clips from assuming a certain momentum as an integral mass. That is, the fingers 49 .and 5| in starting and stopping within the mass of clips tend to mix them more turbulently so that there is a better chance that more will find the proper position in the grooves and 27 (as shown in Fig. 5). It will also be understood that the portions 51 at the ends of arm 41 which straddle 55 and contact with the central bands I of the clips tend to sweep the clips along the grooves 25 and 21. The fingers 49 and 5| clear the portion 56 as it traverses the depression 53,

, because the portion 56 is itself for this purpose.

sion 56 is provided with a bend 6| and a slo At a point behind the depression 53, the extenportion 63 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) adjacent to whi is a stationary trip cam 65. ,At the cam, the portion 63 thins down, as at 59. As the clips approach the cam 65, as shown in Fig. 3, they are tilted. forward, so that they enter a tube 61 with the central band portion I foremost (Fig. 17). An additional upper guide 69 aids in maintaining the inverted positions of the, clips as they vertically enter notches II of a dial holder I3. The notches 'II are of the same general cross section as the elevational outlines of the clips (Fig. 17). Each central clip band I is inwardly located, whereas the bands 3 and 5 are outwardly directed.

The dial holder I3 is carried on a horizontal shaft I5 supported inj a bracket TI, located on the table I3. Substantial friction in the relatively tight bearings for the shaft I5 prevents the dial I3 from freely spinning, but the dial holder may be pushed counterclockwise step by step (compare Figs. 3 and 4).

The dial I3 is pushed forward, one step at a time, by means of a pawl I6 which is pivoted at I6 to a bell crank I9 and biased counterclockwise by a spring I69. The bell crank I9 is keyed to a shaft 82 which has bearings in the frame 11. This bell crank I9 is also biased counterclockwise by means of a bias pin 8| which rocks in a hole 83 and is biased to the right by means of a spring 85 pressing against a-shoulder 81. Thus the pin 8| normally biases the bell crank I9 counterclockwise.

Bolted to the bell crank I9 is a stop 9| which, when the bell crank is biased to its maximum counterclockwise position shown in Fig. 3, enters one of the notches 'II and by contact with the teeth 93 between notches II holds the dial I3 in a predetermined position.

In'order to return the bell crank I9 clockwise, and to release the stop 9| while retracting the pawl 16, there is provided a rocker 95 reachingthrough an opening 9Iof the table top I3 and pivoted thereto at 99. The lower end of this rocker 95 carries a roller |6| riding on a cam I63 which is on a cam shaft I65. When the heel of the cam I63 contacts the roller IOI the locked position of parts is as shown in Fig. 3.

when the toe of the cam I63 engages the roller IN, the rocker 95 is moved counterclockwise (Fig. 4). The upper end I 61 of the rocker then pushes the bell crank I9 clockwise, against another turn at becoming properly positioned in 7 the action of the biasing plunger 6|, thus drawaaaasss while at the same time setting the stop 9'I--to .predetermine the dial position. Thus the successive dial spaces H are brought intermittently to what may be called an inserting station 58 below the tube '51 to admit successive clips from the stock in the entry tube 51.-

It will be noted from Fig. 17 that the portions 93 between the spaces H in the dial 13 are grooved as shown at III coincidentally with the space between bands 3 .and 5. 'Also, the outer portions H3 of the members 93 are faced coincidentally with the outer ends. of the bands 3 and 5. Also, the dial 13 at its peripheral portions H is faced flush with the'opposite ends of the stripper intothe retracted position shown in Fig. 8, but when the upper surface I51 strikes in the dial 13. 'Groove III in the dial 13 also accommodates this tongue I61 (Fig. 18). Thus,

band 1. To hold the clips in place in the dial,

opposite peripheral casing portions H1 and 9 are provided and supported upon extensions I2I from the brackets 11. These casings H1 and II9 are notched at I23 and at I25 (Figs. 3, 8, l4 and 15), providing what will hereinafter be referred to as two testing stations. That isto say, these notches I23 and I25 provide points at which the intermittently moving clips in the dial 13' are exposed for two tests.

The first test is to gauge for the proper distance between the bands 3 and 5, and this is accomplished by means of an oscillating gauge block I21 (Fig. 8) having a central prong I29 and sidewise prongs I3I providing intermediate spaces I33 with bevels at I34, into which the bands 3 and 5 freely pass when properly spaced. If the bands 3 and 5 are too far apart or too near together, they will, due to friction, stick in the spaces I33. When properly spaced, they will not stick, the spaces I33 being designed for this result.

The gauge block I21 is carried on an arm I 35 pivoted on a shaft I31 which is rotary in an extension I39 from one of i the members I2I.

applied force.

,I19 from the frame bracket 11.

a stop I59, such as shown in Fig. 4, the heads I6I are driven ,down relatively into the openings I33 to push out the clip (if present) which drops down into a receiver I63 for rejection.

0n the otherfihand, if the bands 3 and v5 are the correct distance apart, they do not frictionally engage the gauge block I21, and the clip which is therefore left in the dial 13 proceeds, when the dial next moves, forward away from the station I23 (Figs. 3 and 4).

Hence, the clip moves intermittently down to the second station I25.where, fastened to the cover In, is a holding member I 65, shown in side elevation in' Figs. 14 and 15. This member I05 hasa tongue I61 extending in between the bands 3, 5 (taken together) and 1 as they pass perfect clips may pass the station I25.

Testing of the clips at station I25 is accomwhich tend to spread apart under a resiliently If the clip. is not strong enough, it may deform it to an extent that the fingers HI and I13 will withdraw it sidewise through the opening I25 to abstract the clip from the dial 13. If the clip is strong enough .it will resist the resiliently applied force and prevent spreading of the fingers I11 and I13 and will therefore not be withdrawn. The details of the pertinent structure are shown primarily in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10-15.

Said- Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10-15 show a recipro-' eating ram I15 in bearings I11 on'an extension This ram I15 is slotted at I8I wherein is the head I83 of an oscillating arm I85 carried on a vertical shaft I81. At its bottom end, the shaft I81 carries an arm I89 with a conical roller follower I9I engaging a cam I93 on said cam shaft I05 (see also Fig. 9). The vertical shaft I81 is returned by a spring I95 reacting betweena collar I91 on the sha'ftI81 and a bolt I99 fixed with respect The shaft I31 also carries an arm I40 which.

is pivoted at I4! to aconnecting rod. I43. Rod I43 extends down to a connection I45 with an arm I41 also pinned to said shaft 82. Thus the block I21 is operated from the rocker 95. Each time that the bell crank 19 rotates clockwise to release the stop 9| and cause driving of the dial 13, the linkage I41, I43, I40, I31 and I35 is oscillated, first to withdraw the gauge block I21 from the position shown in Fig. 3, to that shown in Fig. 4, and then after movement of the dial 13 to reinsert said gauge block I21 as the dial 13 again comes to rest.

The gauge block I21, as it approaches the final position adjacent to the station I23, is moving substantially radially with respect to the adjacent recess H in the dial 13. Thus whenever the dial 13 is stationary, the gauge block I21 is inserted at the station I23 over the clips as indicated in Fig. 8. 'If the bands 3 and 5 are too far apart or too close together, they stick to the block I21 and are withdrawn when the block moves to the position shown in Fig. '4.

In order to strip a removed clip from the gauge block I21, a stripper I5I is used which has bolts I53 sliding through openings in the block I21. The heads are shown at IGI in the recesses I33. Springs I55 normally bias the to the table I3. The bias of the spring I95 is such as normally to force the follower I9I against the cam I93 and therefore to force the ram to the left in Fig. 1. This forces the test fingers HI and I13 toward station I25.

The left end of the ram- I15 is slotted as shown at 20I and is held vertical by means of a stop 203 in the slot 20I. Farther to the left, the ram I15 is provided with a head 205. Viewing this head 205 from the end as in Figs. 10 and 11, it will be seen to have fastened thereto by fasten- Extending up from the cap 209 is a rigid vertical arm 2| I, the upper end of which is bifurcated and has pinned at 2I3 a latch 2I5. This latch is retracted andrests upon a stationary 'ca'm 2" when the ram'l15 is drawn to-the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, and as shown in Fig. 10.. To facilitate movement of swinging on an oscillating arm22l.

ram is to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, the latch I the latch 2I5 onto the vcam 2I1, the cam is bev-' eled as shown at 2I9. This cam 2I1 is fixed to the rigid extension I19. The lift of the latch 2I5 by the ,cam 2I1 is limited by a bale wire 223 When the Fig. 11 to accomplish separation of arms 2 and 22I. If the separation is great enough, the latch 2l5 has its notched end 230 drop in behind the end of the arm 22I so that the return of the arm .22I is temporarily prevented (see Fig. 11).

However, if the arm 22I does not swing out as far, as shown in Fig. 11, then the latch 215 is not operative and the arm 22I may return toward thearm 2 under action of the spring 221-when the plunger 229 recedes, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.

The motion of the movable arm 22I toward the fixed arm 2 under action of the spring 221 is limited by means of an adjustable stop 289.

The head 209 carries the finger I13 already mentioned, and the arm 22I carries the finger I1I. These fingers I 13, I1I, when positioned adjacent to one another as shown in Fig. 10, are adapted respectively to enter thebands 1 and 3,

' 5 (taken together),- while a clip is in the dial 13 at the station I25. This occurs when the ram 115 moves to the left, and when the arms 2 and 22I are sprung together by 221, as shown in Fig. 10. After the fingers I13 and HI have entered the clip in the dial at station I25, the spreading action of the plunger 229 tends to spread the clip as shown in Figs. 3 and 11.

In Figs. 12 and 13 it is shown that the fingers HI and I13 are hollow, as indicated at 23I and 233. At the ends, the hollow tubular portions open out sidewise, as indicated at 234 and 235. Conical pins 231 and 239, having central rocking edges 24I and 243, rock in the openings 23I and 233.

At their rear portions these pins are provided with heads 241 and 249 joined by a drag link 25I which is prevented from coming oil? by a locking wire 253. At the other ends, the pins 231 and 239 are provided with catches 255 and 251. .When the arm 221 rocks away from the arm 2| I, the holding action of the drag link 25I causes the pins 231 and 239 to rock so that the catches 255 and 251 move outward to hold any clip which may be on the fingers (see Figs. 11,

13 and 15). At the same time the fingers HI and I13 are separated.

In order to remove a clip from the fingers HI and I13 when the catches 255 and 251 are in the receded position of Fig. 12, a sliding stripper 259 is provided which slides on the tops of the fingers HI and I13 and which has a stem 28I slidably passing through the member 209 and head 205, into thegroove 20I, where it Is provided with a collar 2" engageable with the stop 203 when the ram I15 is retracted (Figs. 1, 2,

Stripper 259 ha two are shapes 2 and 4. The

are shape 2 fits the flxedfinger I13, whereas the" are 4 is above the laterally movable finger HI and is flat so as to permit lateral movement of thefinger (compare Figs. 10 and v11). a

The pusher 229 is biased to the left (Figs. 3 and 4), which is to say to the right in Figs. 10 and 11. When the head 209 has advanced to its extreme lefthand position (Fig. 1), the pusher 229 is opposite a push rod 229. The 'push rod 228 is pinned to a bell crank 213 at 215, and by reciprocation drives the pusher 229 when the latter is opposite rod 228. The bell crank is pinned at 211 to an extension 218 from the frame-11.

This bell crank 213 is adjustably weighted as shown at 216.

F The bias of the bell crank 213 on the pusher 229 is intermittently cancelled by means of a rocker 219 pivoted to the frame at 28I. per end of the rocker 219 contacts the lower end of the bell crank 213 by means of the end 283 of the rocker. The lower end of the rocker carries a' roller 285 which engages a cam 281 on the cam shaft I05. Thus intermittently the bell crank is rotated clockwise to withdraw the push rod 228 which permits return of 229. Otherwise, clockwise rotation of the bell crank 213 under action of the weight 216 biases the push rod 228 and member 229 toward the arm 22| so that the latter is biased away from the fixed stationary arm 2 against spring 221. The spring 221 is not strong enough to push back the arm 22I against the bias on the plunger 229, that is, against the effect of the weight 216 on the bell crank 213. But the relieving action of the rocker 219 in pushing the bell crank 213 counterclockwise and .raising the weightv 216 is what takes the load 011 the spring 221, so that return action of the arm 22l may take place under force from spring 221 after latch 2I5 has contacted cam 2I1 to release 6 arm 22I (see Fig. 10). Then the stripper 259 strips the clip off from the adiacently located fingers I1I, I13 while catches 255 and 251 are ceiver 29I from which they are directed to discard.

The entire machine is driven from a belt 293 operating a step pulley 295, which through a gear reduction box 291 drives the cam shaft. I 05. A belt drive 299 from a cam shaft I05 to the countershaft 39 effects driving of the bevel gear 35. The cam shaft I05 is carried in bearings 30I.

Operation of the complete device is as follows:

Drive is effected through the belt 293, pulley 295, gear box 291, and to the cam shaft I05. The drive 299 causes continuous rotation of counter- Shaft 39 and the beveled pinion 31. By reason of the absence of teeth on said pinion, the beveled gear 35 is intermittently driven and thus also the spider 29.

A supply C of clips dumped into the container I9 is thu intermittently stirred and sooner or later a substantial number of clips will find their way into the position shown at the lower end of Fig. 5. Such clips are pushed around on the track 55, and many that are in improper position drop ofi' at the part 56 of the track that crosses the pocket 53 and return to the supply C to be further stirred for'becoming properly positioned. Such clips as properly straddle the track 55 continue on around 56 to the curve 6|, where the lower bands 3, 5 strike the cam 65 so that the intermediate band 1 becomes tilted forward. Therefore as the clip enters the tube 61 it is inverted and directed into a space H in the dial 13 with the band 1 inward and the bands 3 and 5 outward (Figs. 8, 17 and 18) At the time that a clip enters the dial 13, the dial is stationary. Then'the dial is driven forward one step by the action of cam I03 on the roller I 0| at the bottom of the rocker 95. The top I01 of the rocker pushes the bell crank 19 to draw down the pawl 16. The pawl 18 drops into The upv and drop into the discard chute I63.

\ the next space 1| on the dial as the rocker 95 returns, whereupon the spring 85 pushes the bell crank 19 counterclockwise, so thatthe pawl-16 "drives the dial 13 one space forward. Subsequently the stop 9| determines-the exact final position of the dial 13.

Meanwhile, another clip in the dial 13 has proceeded to the first test station I23, toward which, after the dial has become stationary, the gauge block I21 swings on aim I35. If the clip at station I23 has the outwardly directed bands 3 and 5 improperly spaced, they will stick in the gauge block I21 and be abstracted. Then when the gauge block swings upand the surface I51 of the stripper I5I strikes stop I59, this abstracted clip will be stripped from the block I21 Meanwhile, another clip which has passed the first test at station I23 has arrived at the station I25, opposite the lateral reciprocating fingers I1I and I13. The condition of the clip as it arrives at the station I25 is shown in Fig, 14. The tongue I61 in Figs. 14 and 18 at this time precludes withdrawal of the clip sidewise toward the viewer in Fig. 14. This is because there is not space enough at the junction wai t between the circular parts of the figure 8 form of the clip, to permit passage of the clip sidewise. Thus it cannot be abstracted. As the dial comes to rest, the plunger I15 is driven to the left to plunge fingers HI and I13 sidewise into the bands 3, 5 (taken together) and 1respectively.

As the fingers enter the clip the stripper 259 is driven back relatively-upon the fingers, as shown in Fig. 13 by contact with the clip. As the fingers are driven into the clip, the latch 2I5 drops from the stationary cam 2I1 into the position shown in 'Fig. 3 and the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 10. Then when the fingers are firmly seated in the clip, the end 203 of the rocker 219 recedes to allow the weight 216 on the bell crank 213 to force the members 226 and 229 against'the arm 22I to spread it away from the arm 2| I, as indicated in Fig. 3. The weight is predetermined so that a clip of proper strength will not stretch too far. In other words, this is a predetermined resilient stretching bias on the clip. Thus, if the clip is strong enough, the move-, ment of arm 22I is not great enough to cause the latch 2 I5 to drop in behind the arm 22I, and subsequently arms 22I and 2 again. come together because of the spring 221 and resilience in the clip. This occurs' upon retraction of the pusher 228 under action of the cam 281, rocker 219 and bell crank 213, operating against the weight 216. Thereafter the plunger I15 is drawn back by the action of cam I93 on follower I9I and 226 push the arm 22I away from the arm 2 with predetermined force, and since the clip the clip on the spread fingers HI and I13, but also that clearance is provided between the clip (belowits waist or rib I) and the lip I61 (Fig.

15). Also, the spread is so far that the latch 2 I 5 falls in behind the upper end of the separated 1' arm 22I, so that even when the pusher 229 is retracted the position of parts shown in.'Figs.

withdrawn. Then the shoulder 21I on stem 26I of the stripper 259 strikes the stationary lug 203.

This relatively moves the stripper to the position shown in Fig. 12 to strip'the clip from the fingers HI and I 13 to drop it into the rejection chute From the above, it will be seen that any clipwhich under the force predetermined by the weight 216 stretches too much is automatically withdrawn and rejected. If a clip breaks, the

action will be the same as above and both pieces will be removed.

Ifa (good) clip is not withdrawn at the sta-- tion I25,.it subsequently moves intermittently from that station to a third station 303, being held in place as it is inverted by inwardly directed flanges 305 (Fig. 18) of the members H1 and H9. Finally,-it clears the ends of the members I H1, H9 and 305 (Figs. 3 and 4) and drops down in a recess 301 below a groove 309. A plunger 3 reciprocates in connection with the groove 309 to drive the clips forward horizontally under an outlet gate 3I3. The plunger 3 is reciprocated by an arm 3I5 carried on said countershaft 02.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in and vertical shaft I81. It will be noted that in driving'the fingers HI and I13 into the clip it is the spring I95 that provides the force. In other words, this is again resilient application'of a force. Any proper clip is thus retained at station I25 since the lip I61 is engaged by the nondeformed clip (aftertest) to hold it, or strip it, from the fingers I1I, I13. It is clear" that, although the catches 255 and 251 did spread to holding positions as the fingers HI and I13 spread, the catches returned to releasing position upon return of these fingers. Thus the fingers I1I, I13 may be retracted without withdrawing any proper clip.

Next, let it be assumed that a weak clip reaches the station I25. Under these conditions, the I fingers Ill and I13 are driven into the clip, as

already explained. Thereafter, the members 229 75 2 In apparatus of the class described, an inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In, apparatus of the class described, a track adapted to be straddled by a cartridge clip having a pair of spaced depending bands riding on opposite sides of the track and a connected intermediate band riding above the track, said lastnamed band being directed upward by the gravity effect of said depending bands, said track permitting sliding of the straddled clip, an index ing dial having radial openings for receiving the clip,.a chute adapted to receive the clip to in; sert it radially into one opening of the dial, said. track being curved where it enters the chute, and a cam adjacent said curve for contacting the dependingbands to turn them rearwardly, whereby the upper band portion'tips' forward as it advances into said chute to be directed radially inward in said dial, said spaced bands on the clip being then directed outward in said dial.

termittently movable indexing dial having outwardly directed radial openings for receiving clips, means adapted to insert clips radially from the outside of the dial into the openings, each clip having spaced bands directedoutward from the dial and an intermediate band directed inward, and means radially movable toward and away from the dial when it' is stationary to frictionally engage between said outwardly directed bands if they are improperly spaced to remove a clip radially outward from the dial.

3. In apparatus of the class described, an in-' termittently movable indexing dial having radial openings for receiving clips, means adapted to insert clips radially into the openings of the dial, each clip having spaced bands directed outward from the dial and an intermediate band directed inward, means radially movable toward and away from thedial when it is stationary to frictionally engage said bands if they are improperly spaced to remove a clip from the dial, finger means movable laterally of the dial for subsequent insertion into said bands, and means for temporarily spreading said fingers under predetermined force and for withdrawing the clip from the dial if it spreads toofar but otherwise to leavethe clip in the dial.

4. Automatic clip gauging means comprising a movable member having clip receiving recesses, a gauge block, means for intermittently moving said gauge block to and away from said moving means at a point adjacent a clip, said gauge blo'ck being adapted to be frictionally engaged by the clip if the clip is of improper shape, to withdraw the clip from the movable member, stripper means carried by the gauge block, means normally retracting said stripper means from stripping position, and a fixed means engageable by said stripper means to enforce disengagement of the clip from the gauge block upon retraction of the block from said movable member.

5. Automatic clip gauging means comprising an intermittently movable member having clip receiving recesses, a testing member, means for intermittently moving said testing member to and away from said movable member at a point adjacent a clip, said testing member being adapted to be engaged by the clip if the clip is of improper size to withdraw the clip from the movable member, stripper means carried by the testing member, means normally retracting said stripper means, and a fixed means engageable by said stripper means to enforce disengagement of the clip from the testing member upon retraction of the testing member from said movable member.

6. Gauging apparatus for clips and the like comprising a rotary indexing dial, clip receiving recesses at the edge of said dial,'a gauge block adapted to move toward and away from the dial substantially radially ata clip containing recess, said block being frictionally engageable with improperly sized clips to withdraw them from the dial, a stop, and stripper means carried with and by the gauge block adapted automatically to'remove from the gauge block a clip which has been withdrawn from the dial, operation of the stripper being caused by relative movement when the lated sidewise as a figure eight, comprising means for intermittently moving the clips into a stationary position adjacent to a withdrawal station, a tongue extending between the loops normally preventing withdrawal of a clip from the station when the clip is undeformed but permitting said withdrawal when the adjacent loops of the figure eight are separated too far, means for inserting adjacent fingers into adjacent loops of the clip, resilient tensioning means of predetermined force intermittently biasing said fingers apart, means causing return of said fingers only .if the clip has deformed less than a certain amount, said fingers otherwise being blocked apart to spring said clip to clear said tongue, means for withdrawing said fingers. to pull out the clip, and means for tripping the blocking means to effect return together of said fingers after said withdrawal.

9. Apparatus for testing clips having bands related, sidewise as a figure eight, comprising means for intermittently moving the clips into a out the clip.

stationary position at a withdrawal station, a tongue normally preventing withdrawal of the clip at the station when it is undeformedbut permitting said withdrawal when the adjacent loops of the figure eight are separated too far;

, effect a positive interlock with the clip for withdrawal.

10. Apparatus for testing clips having three bands'related sidewise as a figure eight and two of which are spaced in plan, comprising an intermittently moving diaLhaving clip receiving recesses, a gauge block, means for intermittently moving said gauge block to and away from said dial at a first station adjacent a clip, said gauge block being adapted to be frictionally engaged by the clip if the two loops of the clip are of improper spacing in plan to withdraw the clip radiallyirom the dial, means for intermittently moving the clips into a stationary position adjacent to a second station, a tongue normally preventing withdrawal of the clip'at the station when it is undeformed but permitting said withadjacent fingers into adjacent loops of the clip,

resilient tensioning means biasing said fingers apart, means causing return of said fingers only if the clip has deformed less than a certain amount, said fingers otherwisebeing blocked apart to spring said clip to clear said tongue, and means for withdrawing said fingers to pull 11. Apparatus for testing clips having three bands related sidewise as a figure eight and two of which are spaced in plan, comprising an intermittently moving dial having clip receiving recesses, a gauge block, means for intermittently moving said gauge block to and away from said dial at a first station adjacent a clip, said gauge block being adapted to be frictionally engaged by the clip if the two loops of the clip are of improper spacing in plan to withdraw the clip radially from the dial, stripper means carried by the gauge block, means normally retracting said stripper means, and a fixed means engageable by undeformed. but permitting said withdrawal when the adjacent loops of the figure eight are 's eparated too far, means for inserting adjacent fingers into said loopsof the clip when adjacent, resilient tensioning means biasing said fingers apart, means for returning said fingers only if said stripper means to enforce disengagement of the clip from the gauge block upon retraction of the block from said dial, means for intermittently moving the clips into a stationary position adjacent to a second station, a tongue normally preventing withdrawal of the clip at the station when it is undeformed but permitting said withdrawal when the adjacent loops of the figure eight are separated too far, means for inserting adjacent fingers into adjacent loops of the clip, resilient tensioning means biasing said fingers apart, means causing return of said fingers only if the clip has deformed less than a certain amount, said fingers otherwise being blocked apart to spring said clip to clear said tongue, means for withdrawing said fingers to pull out the clip, and

catches at the ends of the fingers automatically operable upon too great a separation between the fingers to form a positive interlock with the clip cesses, a gauge block, means for intermittently moving said gauge block to and away from said dial at a first station adjacent a clip, said gauge block being adapted to be frictionally engaged by the clip if the two loops of the clip are of improper spacing in plan to withdraw the clip radially from the dial, stripper means carried by the gauge block, means normally retracting said stripper means, and a 'fixed means engageable by said stripper means to enforce disengagement I of the clip from the gauge block upon retraction of the block from said dial, means for intermittently moving the clips into a stationary position adjacent to a second station, a tongue normally preventing withdrawal of the clip at the station when it is undeformed but permitting said withdrawal when the adjacent loops of the figure eight are separated too far, meansfor inserting adjacent fingers into adjacent loops of the clip,

' resilient tensioning means biasing said fingers the clip has deformed less than a certain amount,

said fingers otherwise being blocked apart to v spring said clip. to clear said tongue, means in)".

withdrawing said fingers sidewise to pull out the clip, catches atthe ends of the fingers automatically operable upon too great; a separation be tween the fingers to form a positive interlocking engagement with the clip for withdrawal, and

means to bring said fingers together after withdrawal of the clip and to retract said positive station, a tongue normally preventing sidewise withdrawal of the clip at the station when it is 'undeformed but permitting said sidewise withdrawal when the adjacent bands of the figure eight are separated too far, means for-inserting adjacent fingers into the bands of the clip when adjacent, resilient tensioning means of predetermined force biasing said fingers apart, means for returning said fingers only if the clip has deformed less than a certain amount, said fingers, otherwise being held apart to spring said clip to clear said tongue, means for withdrawing said fingers to pull out the clip, catches at the ends of the fingers automatically operable upon too great a separation between the fingers to form a positive interlocking engagement with the clip for "sidewise withdrawal, means to bring said fingers together after withdrawal of the clip and to retract said positive catch means, and a stripper relatively movable to strip the clip from the fingers.

15. A reciprocating head for abstracting double looped clips of figure eight shape, comprisinga laterally immovable finger for insertion into one loop of a clip, a second laterally movable finger for simultaneous insertion into the other loop of the clip, a rocking leversupporting said second finger, means biasing said rocking lever to bias the movable finger away from the immov-.

able finger, a latch automatically operable to holdthe rocking lever so that the movable finger cannot return to the fixed finger once it has moved too far away, and means biasing the movable finger back toward the fixed finger against the action'of said latch.

drawing said catches after said removal, and

means for stripping the clip from said fingers.

13. Apparatus for testing clips having loops related sidewise as a figure eight, comprising means for intermittently moving the clips into a sta-" 16. Areciprocating head for abstracting double looped clips of figure eight shape, comprising a laterally immovable finger for insertion into one loop of a clip, a second laterally movable finger for simultaneous insertion into the other loop of the clip, a rocking leversupporting said second finger, means biasing said rocking lever to bias the movable finger away from the immovable finger, a latch automatically operable to hold the rocking lever so that the movable finger cannot return to the fixed finger onceit has moved'too far away, means biasing the movable finger back toward the fixed finger against the action of said latch an'd cam means for releasing the latch when said head is retracted during reciprocation.

17. A reciprocating head for. abstracting double looped clips of figure eight shape comprising a laterally immovable finger'ior insertion into one loop of a clip, a second laterally movable finger for simultaneous insertion into the other loop of the clip, a rocking lever supporting said second finger, means biasing said rocking lever to bias the movable finger away from the immovable finger, a latch automatically operable tohold the rocking lever so that the movable finger cannot return to the fixed finger once it has moved too far away, means biasing the movable finger back toward the fixed finger against the action of said latch, cam means for releasing the latch when said head is retracted, and positive catch means associated with said fingers operable to catch a clip surrounding the fingers only when the movable finger has separated from the fixed finger.

18.,Clip' extracting apparatus comprising two 7 adjacent fingers, one of said fingers being laterallyfixed and the other being laterally moved away from and to said fixed finger, positive catches movable laterally from the ends of said fingers comprising rockers in hollowportions of said fingers, said catches being movable into extended and retracted positions from the ends of the fingers, and a drag link connecting the ends of said rockers opposite the catches whereby when said fingers separate, the drag link causes the rocker to rock relatively in directions to force said catches from one another and from the ends of said relatively moving fingers.

19. Clipextracting apparatus comprising two fingers, one of said fingers being laterally fixed and the other being laterally moved away from preventing operation of said means for biasing the fingers apart except when said fingers are moved axially to testing position, means for positively holding said'fingers apart when said bias force is removed whenever a clip permits excessive separation of the fingers therein, and means ing the fingers apart except when said fingers are moved axially to testing position, means for positively holding said fingers apart when said bias force is removed whenever a clip permits excessive separation of the fingers therein, means effective upon withdrawal of said head to release said positive holding means, and stripping means relatively movable upon'said withdrawal of said head to move a clip from said fingers.

24. A tester for clips which are double banded on one side and double looped in elevation, comprising an intermittently movable member having clip receiving recesses, the successive clip recesses moving successively past two stations, said movable member at the stations presenting the double bands of the clip outward and the double loops sidewards,,a gauge block movable to and away from the movable member at the first station and into juxtaposition with a clip therein and having frictional engagement with improperly spaced bands so as to pick the clips from the movable to and from said movable member at the second station to be inserted into a clip at to force said catches from one another and from applying a predetermined Iorce biasing said fin gers apart, and intermittent means for preventing operation of said means for biasing the fingers apart except when said fingers are moved axially to testing position.

21. In a clip tester, a reciprocating head, test fingers on said head relatively movable laterally, means normally laterally biasing said fingers together, means for applying a predetermined force biasing said fingers apart, and intermittent means for preventing operation of said means for biasing the fingers apart except when said fingers are moved axially to testing position, and means for positively holding said fingers apart even after said biasing force is removed whenever a clip permits excessive separation of the fingers therein.

said second station, means for resiliently'forcing said fingers apart while in the clip'at said second station, means for maintaining the clip in engagement'with said fingers should it deform excessively whereby the clip is withdrawn from said movable member, and means for removing the clip from said fingers upon withdrawal and insertion into the next successive clip.

25. Means for testing for deformation of clips having double loops joined at a waist, comprising an intermittently movable member having recesses for receiving clips and successively bringing the clips into stationary position adjacent to a testing station, reciprocating fingers adapted to be inserted into and withdrawn from said loops, means for biasing said fingers apart laterally under a predetermined force to separate said loops, means for relieving said biasing force before the fingers are withdrawn from the loops, a finger between the loops at. the waist and adapted to strip the loops from the fingers when the loops are normally related but to clear between the loops in abnormal separated positions so that the clip maybe withdrawn.

22. In a clip tester, a reciprocating head, test.

fingers on said-head relatively movable laterally; means normally biasing said fingers together, means for applying a predetermined force blas- 26. Means for testing for deformation of clips having double loops joined at a waist, comprising an intermittently movable member having recesses for receiving clips and successively bringing the clips into stationary position adjacent to a testing station, reciprocating fingers adapted to be inserted into. and withdrawn from said loops, means for biasing said fingers apart laterally under a predetermined force to separate said loops, means for relieving said biasing force before the fingers are withdrawn from the loops,

mg said fingers apart, intermittent means tor 7 a finger between the loops at the waist and adapted to strip'the loops from the fingers when the loops are in their normal position but to loops, means for relieving said biasins force before the fingers are withdrawn from the loops, a nnger between the loops at the waist-.anrl

adapted to strip the loops irom the fingers when the loops are in their normal position but to clear between the. loops in abnormaiseparated posiof means associated with said I fingers {or positively withdrawing the clip from tions as they are withdrawn whenever a loop under a predetermined force to separate said the movable member when the clip is in obnormally stretched position, and means for maintaining said'flngers in relatively separated posiinto which they are inserted stretches beyond a certain limit.

- AUGUST F. TOELKE.

PETER J. WEN AJ- 

